Lifting all Covid resrictions- how do you feel about it?

snowberry I order lateral flow tests last night, no problem (England).

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BREAKING ??: The government is removing the right to claim sick pay on the first day of getting Covid - meaning those ill with the virus can only claim sick pay from the 4th day they are off work.

Johnson said that “People who are sick should stay home” Can you think of a possible reason why this strategy might not work?

I will be wearing a mask and continuing to be very cautious.

Hi, I really feel for you all. The only thing I have to offer is look after yourselves. If you feel comfortable wearing a mask, wear it. I think it's sensible to keep handwashing/sanitizing. Good luck to everyone. Just do what you think is right for yourself, there is not much more you can do.

The Telegraph is now saying that lockdowns were a terrible mistake and must never happen again. They are just trying to rewrite history. Lockdowns were the right thing to do at the time. imo they just want to argue, when the report on the pandemic is eventually released that, instead of locking down too late they were wrong to lock down at all. If they think I’m going to forget the details of the past two years they’re wrong.

Nobody wore a mask before covid, there have always been vulnerable people and always been viruses that could affect them.

Well, perhaps now that we've acquired a familiarity with mask wearing perhaps we could avoid passing on other viruses that affect people, too. Or perhaps the thought of saving a few more lives doesn't seem particularly important?

Elizabeth27

Now is as good a time as any, it has to happen or go on forever. There are many viruses of the same severity that we have lived with for many years.

Nobody wore a mask before covid, there have always been vulnerable people and always been viruses that could affect them.

I think if anyone had flu or a really rotten cold they would have stayed at home, although I do remember being looked after by a nurse in hospital many years ago who had a dreadful cold and yes, I caught it. She shouldn't have been at work.
It wasn't life-threatening like Covid or flu but very unpleasant, especially with stitches and drains in.

notgoneyet

It’s no more self-isolating I think is riculous. Surely it would have made more sense to say “if you test positive, self-isolate until you have had negative tests on two successive days”. That way, nobody will have to stay in for any longer than necessary, but it is less likely to be passed on. But of course, if they are no longer giving out LF tests, and not doing any more PCR tests, no one will even know if they definitely have it! Madness.

I agree. It's bonkers.

Elizabeth27

Now is as good a time as any, it has to happen or go on forever. There are many viruses of the same severity that we have lived with for many years.

Nobody wore a mask before covid, there have always been vulnerable people and always been viruses that could affect them.

Which viruses of the same severity have we lived with for many years in the UK? I don't know of any. If you're going to make claims like that, you need to back them up.

People in other countries have worn masks for a long time to protect others if they have a cold or flu symptoms. I was hoping it would become a cultural thing here. It was nice living in a country for a while where people thought about others.

Now is as good a time as any, it has to happen or go on forever. There are many viruses of the same severity that we have lived with for many years.

Nobody wore a mask before covid, there have always been vulnerable people and always been viruses that could affect them.

It’s no more self-isolating I think is riculous. Surely it would have made more sense to say “if you test positive, self-isolate until you have had negative tests on two successive days”. That way, nobody will have to stay in for any longer than necessary, but it is less likely to be passed on. But of course, if they are no longer giving out LF tests, and not doing any more PCR tests, no one will even know if they definitely have it! Madness.

I just felt that Whitty was saying the opposite of what Johnson was at that briefing. And then, the journalists that were supposed to be asking questions on our behalf started asking him about Putin…

It's still winter! I think restrictions should have been kept until Easter at least. And to say that people who actually test positive don't need to isolate is madness.

How difficult is it to wear a mask in shops and on public transport?

The one thing this Virus has taught us, is not to be cocky

Chris Witty.

No garanteee the next mutation is not going to be much more destructive eiter.

Rosiehaha

If it is a political move surely not lifting restrictions would have been more appeasing to the ‘frightened’. Secondly all I have heard is listen to the scientists and they are saying this is the right move. They will be watching the variants and hopefully will act accordingly. This virus is never going away and we can’t keep living in this way. All we can do is take responsibility for our own actions and those who don’t never have.

What is it about your current life you can't live with?

You just gave a good reason for keeping restrictions. Some people won't take responsibility for their actions. When public health is the issue, those people are endangering others, which is precisely why there need to be laws to control them.

What about responsibility for the vulnerable, the immuni-suppressed, those with OPD, etc. How would wearing masks on public transport or medical facilities for another few weeks be really so onerous.

love0c

How do I feel? Very glad!

As someone, who is CEV, I'm not. I'm horrified. Many have become so blasé now, not even sanitisng their hands, let alone wearing masks.
I take full responsibility for keeping myself safe, the best way I can, it's not up to others to do so for me.
However, I would hope that those who are desperate for normality, will bear a thought for those who are still at risk of death from Covid.

I can only think you were watching that new TV channel ‘Alternative Reality’ Rosiehaha because that’s not what the scientists said. Here’s a summary of their actual words in this article:
www.itv.com/news/2022-02-21/all-restrictions-to-lift-in-england-heres-the-plan-for-living-with-covid

How do I feel? Very glad!

If it is a political move surely not lifting restrictions would have been more appeasing to the ‘frightened’. Secondly all I have heard is listen to the scientists and they are saying this is the right move. They will be watching the variants and hopefully will act accordingly. This virus is never going away and we can’t keep living in this way. All we can do is take responsibility for our own actions and those who don’t never have.

I will feel a lot more worried knowing there are folk with Covid out and about. My husband along with thousands of others is clinically extremely vulnerable.

Woodmouse

I'm very pleased. It's been two years and at some point we have to emerge from our bunkers and start to live normally again.

But surely we don't have to go from sublime to the ridiculous.

Why not continue to make masks compulsory on public transport, and care home visits and medical facilities??? until at least the end of March and better weather?

People who are vulnerable and been working from home are going to be obliged to go back to work in the office/workplace now- and might have to go on public transport- and share facilities and work-place will people who have Covid and not isolating. It is totally irresponsible- bordering on much worse.